ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Measures to help the Rubber Growers
The Government has taken various measures to help rubber farmers struggling due to price fall of natural rubbers. Details of measures taken by the Government are:
- Domestic rubber prices are highly sensitive to import of natural rubber. To regulate the import of natural rubber, the Government has increased duty on import of dry rubber from 20% or Rs. 30 per kg whichever is lower to 25% or Rs. 30 per kg whichever is lower from 30.4.2015 in order to create demand for locally produced rubber.
- The Government has also reduced the period of utilization of imported dry rubber under advance licensing/ authorization scheme from 18 months to 6 months.
- Director General of Foreign Trade  has imposed port restriction on the import of natural rubber by restricting the port entry to Chennai and Nhava Sheva  since 20th January, 2016.
- Rubber production incentive scheme is under implementation in the major rubber growing state of Kerala for providing financial support to rubber growers under which the difference between the scheme reference price of Rs 150 per kg and the daily market price is credited to the bank account of the farmer directly on the basis of purchase bills.
The Government has no proposal for opening of industrial parks for rubber based units.
This information was given by Minister of State for Commerce & Industry C. R. Chaudhary in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
PIB Headquarters
5 kg gold worth Rs. 1.91 Crore seized by Customs at Chennai Airport . One Arrested
On Sunday based on intelligence that gold is likely to be smuggled by some passenger arriving from Honk Kong by Cathay Pacific flight CX 631, AIU officers kept a special watch to nab the smuggler. As the flight landed one team headed for the rummaging of the aircraft with focus to thwart acts of smuggling through various concealment modes and another team was waiting at the exit.
During rummaging of the aircraftfour bundles wrapped in black adhesive tape were recovered from under one of the seats. As the passengers had already deboarded the aircraft, a search was launched to apprehend the passenger who had occupied that seat. A passenger who appeared to be in a hurry and was trying to rushthrough the exit was intercepted by AIU officers. He was identified as one Sheikul Hafiz,28, from Chennai who had travelled on the seat from underneath which the bundles were recovered. He was questioned about the bundles recovered underneath his seat. First he denied any link with it but on persistent questioning he admitted to have concealed the same underneath his seat.
On cut opening of the bundles, four gold bars with foreign markings, each weighing 1 kg , total 4 Kg along with four cut gold bars weighing 1.05 Kg were recovered. Thus in total 5.05 Kg of gold valued at Rs.1.91 Crores was recovered and same was seized under Customs Act, 1962. The passenger was arrested.
Further investigations are under progress according to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
Ministry of Mines
Mineral Production Records 7.5 per cent Growth in June, 2022
Cumulative Growth Touches 9 per cent During April-June, 2022-23
Important Minerals Record Substantial Production Growth
The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of June, 2022  at 113.4, was 7.5% higher as compared to the level in the month of June, 2021. As per the provisional figures of Indian Bureau of Mines , the cumulative growth for the period April- June, 2022-23 over the corresponding period of the previous year has increased by 9.0 per cent.
Production level of important minerals in June, 2022 were: Coal 669 lakh tonnes, Lignite 46 lakh tonnes, Natural gas  2747million cu. m., Petroleum  24 lakh tonnes, Bauxite 1950 thousand tonnes, Chromite 343 thousand tonnes, Copper conc. 10 thousand tonnes , Gold 85 kg, Iron ore 201 lakh tonnes, Lead conc. 30 thousand tonnes, Manganese ore 238 thousand tonnes, Zinc conc. 142 thousand tonnes, Limestone 335 lakh tonnes, Phosphorite 189 thousand tonnes, Magnesite 8 thousand tonnes, and Diamon 44 carat.
The production of important minerals showing positive growth during June, 2022 over June, 2021 include: Diamond , Gold , Phosphorite , Coal , Lignite , Zinc conc , Manganese ore 19.3%), Magnesite , Bauxite , Chromite , Lead conc , Limestone 1.6%), and Natural Gas  . The production of other important minerals showing negative growth include: Petroleum  , Copper conc , and Iron Ore .
Ministry of Defence
DRDO hands over design of Mobile Metallic Rampto Indian Army
Defence Research and Development Organisation  handed over the design of Mobile Metallic Ramp  to the Indian Army at a ceremony held at DRDO Bhawan here today.Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr G Satheesh Reddy handed over the design of MMR to Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Devraj Anbu.
With load bearing capacity of 70 metric ton ,the MMRhas been designed and developed by DRDO’s premier research laboratory, Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety  on the requirements projected by Army for reducing the Strategic Mobility time of mobilizing Armoured Fighting Vehicles. The ramp will provide the strategic mobility for Armoured and Mechanized units and formations of the Army. It is portable, modular in design, which can be easily assembled or disassembled.
Lt Gen Devraj Anbu appreciated the design of MMR and lauded the efforts of DRDO towards meeting the requirement of the Army by drastically reducing the time required for operational mobilization.
Director General Operational Logistics& Strategic Movement, Lt Gen Nav K Khanduri, Directors General of DRDO and Director CFEES were also present at the function.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO and Army for the successful development of innovative product MMR.
ABB/Nampi/Savvy/MTJ
(Visitor Counter : 1416
Ministry of Defence
DRDO pays tribute to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his Birth Anniversary
Defence Research & Development Organisation  celebrated the 87th Birth Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, the former President of India and DRDO chief at a function in DRDO Bhawan here today. Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman graced the occasion as the Chief Guest which also had the presence of Raksha Rajya Mantri, Dr Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, and Prof K Vijay Raghavan Principal Scientific Advisor  to the Government of India, along with other dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion Smt. Sitharaman shared her experience of meeting with Dr Kalam. She said, he was not only a good scientist but also an excellent administrator who could spot and nurture talent among his team members. That among others made this ‘missile man’ a great team leader.
Addressing the gathering, Raksha Rajya Mantri said, Dr Kalam believed in a strong nation – one that is scientifically superior and always used to inspire people for putting their total commitment towards the mission in hand. This can be gauged in his words, “If you want to shine like sun, first burn like sun.”
Raksha Mantri Smt Sitharaman also launched a DRDO website dedicated to the theme ‘The Kalam Vision – Dare to Dream’ for engaging young minds in emerging technologies namely Artificial intelligence, Cyber security, Robotics, Automonous Systems, etc. The website will facilitate open competition for students and Startups. It is available at the address: https://drdo.gov.in/drdo/kalam/kalam.html.
Hindi version of the book “Incredible Kalam” was released by RRM Dr Bhamre in today’s function so that message of Dr Kalam can reach to the masses of the country. The book is the compilation of personal experiences of some distinguished scientists about their association with Kalam.
The function was attended by Students of three Delhi based schools. These schools have set up Atal Tinkering Lab in their schools under Atal innovation mission of Government of India. Students and researchers from Indian Institute of Technology  Delhi also attended the function. The aim of inviting young minds was to motivate them with diverse and great qualities of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, who had special affinity for students and youth of the country. Young scientists from DRDO laboratories delivered presentations at the function regarding the innovative projects they have undertaken.
The students were taken to visit the Kalam Gallery at DRDO Bhawan to get a glimpse of defence systems and technologies displayed. Students took keen interest in the life and work of Dr Kalam depicted in the gallery.
SRR/Nampi/DK/HS
(Visitor Counter : 1027
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Quality norms for imported toys
Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade  had notified Quality Control Order  on toys on 25.02.2020 with implementation date as 1.9.2020. However, at the request of Industry associations, the implementation date has been extended as 01.01.2021.
As per this Order, it has been made compulsory for toys to conform to the corresponding Indian Standards for Safety of Toys and to bear Bureau of Indian Standards  Standard Mark under a licence from BIS as per Scheme-I of Schedule-II of BIS  Regulations, 2018.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade  has issued notification No. 33/2015-2020 dated 02.12.2019 regarding random sample testing on toy consignment and successful clearance is mandatory in case of import of toys. Officers have been posted at Port of entry for drawal of market samples from the consignments of foreign licensees and Standard Operating Protocol in this regard has been shared with the customs.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution, Shri Danve Raosaheb Dadarao in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Validation Exercise and Closing Ceremony INDO-Russia Joint Tri-Services Exercise Indra- 2019
The second edition of bilateral tri-services Exercise INDRA-2019 between Indian and Russia concluded today at Babina, Pune and Goa. The exercise included joint training in counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations under the United Nations mandate. Important lectures, demonstrations and drills related to counter terrorism operations were rehearsed and executed jointly. Both the contingent shared their expertise and experience.
As part of validation exercise held on 19 December 2019, troops of both the countries carried out specialised joint counter terrorist operations which was witnessed by dignitaries of services of both countries. The validation exercise was reviewed by Hon’ble Rajya Raksha Mantri Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in presence of Lieutenant General SK Saini, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command and other senior officers of both the participating countries. The Russian side was represented by Lieutenant General Sergei Serukov, Deputy Commander, Eastern Military District. The exercise concluded on 19 December 2019 with a ceremonial closing ceremony by both the contingents.
Exercise INDRA-2019 was very successful in increasing the bonhomie and camaraderie amongst both the participating nations. The exercise provided an opportunity to both the Armies for greater understanding and strengthening of mutual trust and cooperation.
Col Aman Anand
PRO 
(Visitor Counter : 744
Ministry of Heavy Industries
DEPLOYMENT OF e-BUSES
There is no State wise priority deadline for the deployment of e-buses sanctioned under Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of  Electric Vehicles  Scheme. However, all the selected cities/STUs for procurement of e-buses have to follow the timeline as given in Expression of Interest  No. 6/2019-NAB.II  dated 04thJune, 2019 issued by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
In order to promote the manufacture and use of electric vehicles in the country, the Government launched the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of  Electric Vehicles in India  Scheme in 2015 on pan India basis with an aim to reduce dependency on fossil fuel and to address issues of vehicular emissions.At present, Phase-II of FAME India Scheme is being implemented for a period of 5 years w.e.f. 01stApril, 2019 with a total budgetary support of Rs. 10,000 crores.
This phase focusses on supporting electrification of public & shared transportation and aims to support, through subsidies, 7090 e-Buses, 5 lakh e-3 Wheelers, 55000 e-4 Wheeler Passenger Cars and 10 lakh e-2 Wheelers. In addition, creation of charging infrastructure is also supported to address range anxiety among users of electric vehicles.
Further, following steps have been taken by the Government for adoption of electric vehicles in the country:
- The Government on 12thMay, 2021 approved a Production Linked Incentive  scheme for manufacturing of Advanced Chemistry Cell  in the country in order to bring down prices of battery in the country. Drop in battery price will result in cost reduction of electric vehicles.
- Electric Vehicles are covered under Production Linked Incentive  scheme for Automobile and Auto Components, which was approved on 15th September, 2021 with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,938 crore for a period of five years.
- GST on EVs has been reduced from 12% to 5%; GST on chargers/ charging stations for EVs has been reduced from 18% to 5%.
- Ministry of Road Transport & Highways  announced that the battery-operated vehicles will be given green license plates and be exempted from permit requirements.
- MoRTH issued a notification advising states to waive road tax on EVs, which in turn will help reduce the initial cost of the EVs.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Heavy Industries Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Science & Technology
DBT/ Anti-COVID consortium- Efforts underway to produce therapeutic antibodies against COVID-19
Isolating genes encoding antibodies for neutralising the SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19
COVID-19 is caused by the novel SARS coronavirus-2  and it is resulting in many deaths. However, a large number of infected people are also recovering despite not having any specific treatment. This is because of antibodies produced within the body in response to the virus invasion.
Over the years, passive transfer of antibodies obtained from the plasma of convalescent patients cured of infection has been used for treatment of numerous disease conditions such as Diphtheria, Tetanus, Rabies, and Ebola. Today such therapeutic antibodies can be produced in the laboratory by DNA-based recombinant technologies. Efforts are in full swing globally to produce therapeutic antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
In India, one such effort is being led by Professor Vijay Chaudhary at the University of Delhi South Campus-Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease Research, Education and Training , with the support of the Department of Biotechnology in the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
Professor Chaudhary’s group is isolating genes encoding antibodies, which can neutralise the SARS-CoV-2, using a large antibody library already available in-house as well as a library made from cells of patients who have recovered from COVID-19 infection.
These antibody genes will be used to produce recombinant antibodies in the laboratory, which, if successful in neutralising the virus, will become a perennial source of antibodies against this virus, both for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes.
This work is being undertaken as part of an Anti-COVID consortium under the leadership of Prof. Chaudhary and involving Dr. Amulya Panda at National Institute of Immunology and Dr. Sanjay Singh at Gennova Biopharmaceutical Limited, Pune .
[Contact Person: Prof. Vijay K Chaudhury, Email: vkchaudhary@south.du.ac.in]
Ministry of Education
A Dialogue on National Education Policy 2020 at Nehru Centre, London
A dialogue on the “New Education Policy 2020 – NEP Outreach”, was organized by the Nehru Centre, London with National Book Trust, India  on 18 January, 2021.
Speaking on the occasion, Union of Education Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the NEP-2020 has been implemented with a futuristic mindset, thereby turning the challenges into opportunities. It will equip India to hold a position in the global knowledge system while maintaining and developing its traditional knowledge system. “Through the policy, we are hoping to transform education and putting a significant thrust on learning about how to think critically and solve problems, how to be creative and multidisciplinary, and how to innovate, adapt, and absorb new material in the novel and changing fields. Pedagogy is expected to evolve to make education more experiential, holistic, integrated, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centred, discussion-based, flexible, and, of course, enjoyable,” the Minister added.
Shri Vinay Sahastrabuddhe, President, ICCR, in his opening remarks said that the NEP-2020 is one of the greatest reforms presented by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Rt. Hon Jo Johnson, Educationist, Former Minister for Universities, Science, Research & Innovation, United Kingdom, lauded India’s NEP-2020 as an event of global significance and as a policy that will turn India into a global knowledge superpower, emphasizing its strong focus on early years, teachers, universal numeracy & literacy, etc. He also mentioned that the exciting fact about NEP-2020 is that it proposes to shift the mode of assessment from summative to formative, testing higher order skills like critical thinking, analysis and conceptual clarity.
Rt. Hon Jo Johnson and Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ also engaged in a dialogue on various provisions of the NEP-2020, such as teacher training, entry of top 100 foreign universities in India, and education in Indian HEIs.
The engaging and enlightening event was moderated by Shri Amish Tripathi, Minister , High Commission of India, UK and Director, The Nehru Centre.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Women Scientists’ & Entrepreneurs’ Conclave inspires young talents to science
The Women Scientists’ & Entrepreneurs Conclave, which was inaugurated as a part of India International Science Festival  2019 in Kolkata today,highlighted the importance of networking to enhance the representation of women in science and research.
Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Professor Ashutosh Sharma in his keynote address mentioned different modes of networking and how women in the science and science based entrepreneurship space can benefit from them.
Referring to entrepreneurship efforts supported by organizations like WEE  Foundation supported by DST, Professor Sharma said that one needs absolute clarity about problems and solutions instead of just talking about the problems. Stressing on the need of interventions by different stakeholders to improve the participation of women in research he highlighted DST’s schemes like Vigyan Jyoti which targets to increase representation of women in top reputed institutions like IITs. The Vigyan Jyoti scheme brings holistic science camp which imparts training to get into IITs and has many science institutions to partner in it.
Secretary, Department of Scientific& Industrial Research and Director General CSIR, Dr Shekhar C. Mande also inspired the audience with his address.
The main objective of this conclave is to provide a platform for young women scientists to interact with the women leaders in science and technology towards risen India. This is an effort to acknowledge the contribution of women in catalyzing sustainable growth.
In the different sessions eminent women scientists, leaders and experts mentioned that specific cultural and financial challenges that prevent women from reaching top institutions needed targeted attention.
It was pointed out that increasing representation of women in science technology and innovation hinges on every woman’s shoulders and each one should contribute towards it.
Delegates at the conclave were inspired by the presence of role models like Sarita Devi , a farmer from Sikar Rajasthan, who has successfully gained about Rs 25 lakh from 1 acre of land and who is influencing other women farmers to become competent and gain from their farmlands.
Meanwhile, Major General Dr. Madhuri Kanitkar encouraged the audience with her call for ‘Growing together without growing apart’. She said that life is a continuous learning process and women have a multitude of responsibilities of managing work life balance and caring for elderly parents.
Acknowleging her problems and failures she motivated women on ways to overcome them.
The two days conclave consists of six different sessions on different aspects of increasing participation of women in science technology and innovation like women leaders and achievers for Risen India; Women in STI: International Perspectives; Women Entrepreneurship towards Sustainable Development; Women In STEMM: Opportunities and Challenges For New India’; Grassroots Women in Catalyzing Sustainable Growth; and Youth in Driving Sustainability.
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence signs MoUs with Ministry of AYUSH to start Ayurveda Centres at 37 Cantonment & 12 AFMS military hospitals
Two MoUs have been signed by Ministry of Defence  with Ministry of AYUSH , one for starting Ayurveda Centres at 37 Cantonment Hospitals and another for starting Ayurveda Centres at 12 Military Hospitals of Armed Forces Medical Services . These MoUs were signed during the three-day mega event, Global Ayush Investment & Innovation Summit, organised at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat from April 20-22, 2022. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the august gathering during the inaugural function, where Director General, World Health Organisation  was also present.
Signatories for these MoUs were Special Secretary, MoA Shri Pramod Kumar Pathak, DGAFMS Surg Vice Admiral Rajat Datta and Additional Director General Defence Estates Smt Sonam Yangdol.
This will make available well-established and time-tested therapies of Ayurveda to the residents of Cantonments, including families of Armed Forces personnel and civilians depending on these hospitals. These Ayurveda Centres will be functional across the country from May 01, 2022.
The list of 37 Cantonment hospitals is as follows:
|
|
-
|
|
Agra
|
|
-
|
|
Allahabad
|
|
-
|
|
Bareilly
|
|
-
|
|
Dehradun
|
|
-
|
|
Mhow
|
|
-
|
|
Pachmarhi
|
|
-
|
|
Shahjahanpur
|
|
-
|
|
Jabalpur
|
|
-
|
|
Badamibagh
|
|
-
|
|
Barrackpore
|
|
-
|
|
Ahmedabad
|
|
-
|
|
Dehuroad
|
|
-
|
|
Khadki
|
|
-
|
|
Secunderabad
|
|
-
|
|
Dagshai
|
|
-
|
|
Ferozepur
|
|
-
|
|
Jalandhar
|
|
-
|
|
Jammu
|
|
-
|
|
Jutogh
|
|
-
|
|
Kasauli
|
|
-
|
|
Khasyol
|
|
-
|
|
Subathu
|
|
-
|
|
Jhansi
|
|
-
|
|
Babina
|
|
-
|
|
Roorkee
|
|
-
|
|
Danapur
|
|
-
|
|
Kamptee
|
|
-
|
|
Ranikhet
|
|
-
|
|
Lansdowne
|
|
-
|
|
Ramgarh
|
|
-
|
|
Mathura
|
|
-
|
|
Belgaum
|
|
-
|
|
Morar
|
|
-
|
|
Wellington
|
|
-
|
|
Amritsar
|
|
-
|
|
Bakloh
|
|
-
|
|
Dalhousie
The list of 12 military hospitals of AFMS is as follows:
- Army
|
|
S No
|
|
Military Hospital
|
|
Command
|
|
1.
|
|
Base Hospital Delhi Cantt
|
|
Western Command
|
|
2.
|
|
CH  Chandimandir
|
|
Western Command
|
|
3.
|
|
CH  Lucknow
|
|
Central Command
|
|
4.
|
|
CH  Pune
|
|
Southern Command
|
|
5.
|
|
CH  Kolkata
|
|
Eastern Command
|
|
6.
|
|
MH Jabalpur
|
|
Central Command
|
|
7.
|
|
MH Jaipur
|
|
Southern Western Command
|
|
8.
|
|
166 MH, Jammu
|
|
Northern Command
|
|
9.
|
|
151 BH, Guwahati
|
|
Eastern Command
- Navy
 INHS Asvini, Mumbai
- Air Force
 CH  Bangalore
 11 Air Force Hospital, Hindon
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Mandatory Enrollment of Graduates at Employment Exchange
Government does not have any proposal to make it mandatory for graduates to register at employment exchange at districts across the country. The registration at employment exchanges across the country for availing employment related services is voluntary.
The Ministry is implementing National Career Service  Project to provide a variety of career related services viz. job search and matching, career counselling, vocational guidance, information on skill development courses, etc. The services are available online on the National Career Service Portal .
This information was given by Shri Rameswar Teli, Minister of State, Ministry of Labour & Employment in Rajya Sabha today.